Portable grain elevator



L. B. NEIGHBOUR PORTABLE GRAIN ELEVATOR 1 .March 18, 1930.

Filed Aug. 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l lrivz'nfcvr 5 March 18, 1930. B. NEIGHBOUR 1,750, 855

PORTABLE GRAIN ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 18, 1 930 UNITED STATES rAran'r c erics LEONARD B. NEIGHBOUB, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T DEERE & COMPANY, OF

. MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS PORTABLE GRAIN nrinva'ron Application filed August 11, 1927. Serial No. 212 155 The present invention relates to portable grain elevators such as are employed for elevating grain into bins, box cars, etc. These elevators usually comprise a vehicle frame or running gear on which is pivotally supported a long elevator tube through which the grain is carried by a flight conveyor. One end of such elevator tube is pivotally con nected to the end of the vehicle frame, and

when the device is to be placed in operation the other end of the tube is raised to an elevated position, being lowered into proximity to the frame when the device is to be transported. The present invention is primarily concerned with the pivotal mounting of the lower end of the elevator tube on the frame; and with the mounting of the swinging frame or derrick which serves to raise the elevator tube.

Referring to the drawings illustrating the invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the elevator, showing the conveying tube thereof raised to its operative position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear end of the device.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the front end of the device, the elevator tube being shown in section, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the pivotal mounting of the elevator tube on the running gear.

The machine comprises a main frame 6 which is constructed of two longitudinally extending channel bars 7 and two transversely extending channel bars 8 and 9 at the front and rear ends of the frame respectively. The two longitudinal frame bars 7 are set comparatively close together and en '40 tend across the upper sides of the transverse frame bars 8 and 9. The four bars are secured together at their intersections by joining brackets 11. As best shown in Figure 4, each of these joining brackets consists of a plate bent angularly and having its ends twisted' upwardly and downwardly to form upper and lower attaching portions for bolting to the frame bars, as indicated at 12.

Referring to Figure 2, the rear frame bar 9 constitutes a bolster for the rear axle 13 which extends along the under side of the bar. The ends of the frame bar are rigidly secured to the axle by U-shaped clips 14 extending under the axle and bolted to the frame bar as indicated at 15. Rear wheels 16 are suitably journaled on the ends of the axle 13. The front frame bar '8 constitutes an axle for two front steering wheels 1717. The latter are journaled on spindles 18, hav- 1 ing upwardly turned pivot portions 19 which are rotatably supported in upright bearing sleeves or bosses 21. Arms 22 extend in- Wardlyfrom such bearing sleeves and are bolted tothe ends of the frame bar 8, as indi- I cated at 23. Angularly shaped brackets 24: are mounted on the inner ends of the spindles and have thrust collars 25 at their upper ends which bear against the under sides of the bearing sleeves 21. Fixedly secured to each of such angle brackets 24, is a forwardly extending arm 26 to which is pivotally connected the outer end'of a steering rod 27. The inner ends of these rods overlap and have pivotal connection through a bolt 28 with a tongue supporting member 29. The latter comprises two longitudinally extending angle bars 31.which have their upper I flanges bolted toytwo cross brackets 32-32 located at spaced points along the angle bars 31. The steering rods 27 are pivotally connected to the frontbracket member 32. and the rearbracket 32 is pivotally connected to a short bar 33 projecting forwardly from the axle 8 (Figure 1). The two angle bars 31 and the two cross members 3232 constitute a socket in which a draft tongue or pole is adapted to be detachably held by one or more bolts extending through the vertical flanges of the bars'31. Such socket or mounting member has lateral swinging movement about the'axis of its pivotal connection with the stationary supporting bar 33, and inthis lateral swinging movement imparts steering movement to the wheels 17'17 through the steering rods 27. As shown in Figure 1, when the machine is set up for operation, the tongue is removed from the socket or supporting member 29 to prevent interference with the elevator tube. The socket or supporting member 29 projects forwardly to some extent from the axle 8yand beyondthe front ends of the longitudinal either type of elevator. In the construction shownthe conveying conduit is of tubular form, being designated 35. This tube is disposedlongitudinally f] the 'running gear, which has justbeen described, and has its inlet endpivotally mounted on the frontend of therunning gear so that theoppositeend of the tube canbe raised and loweredbetween Operating and transportingpositions. The pivotal mountingofthe tnbeis upon a shaft 3.6:, which, alsofunctions as a, power tnansmitrf 7 ting shaft throu'gh; which; power is transmittedto the flight conveyor and. to the: other r 2.0

1 veying mechanism. Ai'belt pulley 37 1s power, driven devices associated withthe con- 'mQ 1I1:t-edon; one end of the shaft '36 and: is

v adapted to, be; belt driven from an, internal combustion engine 40 whiclris located-on the ,rea-rrendof the frame 6. Obviously, anylother armor driving mech-anism may beiemployed,

such;asmotion'translating; devices for utilizwhich poweris transmitted: down through; a

ing horse power, for the operat-ion of the elevator v The other endfofthe drive shaft 36 carries :asprocketwheel- 38, (Figure 3), from,

V chainztoiasprocket'wheelmountedonatransversely' 'extending shaft; 39. The latter shaft,

is suitably journaled in a, boot, '41 ,which is rigidly fsecured to the lower endhof the ele;

I vator tube 35.

Passing upwardly. throughihe tube is an endless flight conveyorconstructed;of a link chain42 on .Whichflight disks 14:8 are mounted ItiSpfiJCod points." The-conveyor. passes ,outiof theupper discharge end ofithe conveyor tube l 7 and returns down along the uppergsideof V the tube where-the,chainihas guided support onz sprocket wheels .44, suitably supported above-,thetube. Thedisks 43 have s lots in their inner: edges; tofpass overithe sprocket wheel of, wheels, 44. The conveyor passes around alower sprocket wheel mounted. in

7 thfiybQQtLt'cl on the shaft 39,, the conveyor being Y-driven by such sprocket-1 wheel. Hingedly: connected to the outer. end of the hoetetl is, a feeding hopper 45;. A. feeding aug er, extending longitudinally)withinsthe hopper, 45,- isdriven 'througl1,,any suitable chaindrive'mechanism 46;which derivesits power from the: shaft 39,,

- Then the machine. is-in transportcondt tion, the, tube 35 extends; approximately horizontally along the runninggear. To vplace toihe necessary angle for obtaining the-desired height ofdischarge, through theopera- =tion-of a, derrick or; liftingv frame; 48: which is-pivotallysupported on the rear partof the running gear. The upper end of such lifting or jack frame carrieslaterallycspacedfianged rollers to which track along the underside of the tube 35.

The swinging of the lifting 7 frame through its elevating movementis pere I formedby tacklerigging c o1nprising .a,.windlass5 1 which is pivotally. supported between two laterally spaced vertical standards. 52. 7

These standards are suitably secured to the I side bars 'Tfof the'frameandlarebracediin-gup" right positionby'b'race bars 53. A cable-54l passes upwardly fromthe'windlas's 51 and through a pulley lolock' 55 which is linked to the upper end ofuone of the standards 52. From the pulley block '55, the'cablepasses rearwardly andythrough. a pivotblock- 56 which isrockably supported in the lifting frame 48, the, cable thence extending: back to the standard 52, to whiolrthe end-of the cable is connectedas indicated at 57., ItLwill. be.

evident that winding rotationofi the Windlass- 51 will be effective toswing the liftingframe rection the weightof the tubeJYill befetiective co-swing thelifting frame rearwardlyforper- I mitting the tube to lower. The tube isadapt ed to be Tswungdown between.v the spaced standards 5 2,, and projecting forwardly. froinf eachof the standards are arms58which1 are 4 adapted t'oisuppo-rtthe'freeend oflthe hopper: Y

45, when. vthe latter, is swung pwardly oven the top of the elevator tube.

' Referring to Figure 2, it'willlbe s een' thati the elevatingframe' comprises two anglecloars a 48 which spread'laterally from each other in extending down, to the running gear Bolted at. 6 1 to the ends of these angle bars arepivotal mounting extensions 62 These extensions arebent; downwardly to lie 'at the outer endsof the bolsterbar9 and have pivot V apertures in their ends which engage over b the axle ran the ends ofthe bolster; It, will be noted that each pivot extension-is later.-

ally confin'ed on the axle in both directions, the-hubs -l6 of thewheels'16 preventing the pivot extensionsfrom shifting outwardlyif along the axle, and the urshapedl clips;'14

and ends-10f the bolster 9 ;preventing the pivot extensions from shifting inwardly along: the axle.

. Ihavefound that theforegoing construe:

tion provides a staunch inexpensive pivotal mounting for therhftingi frame. lNhen the conveyor tube 35 is: elevated, (the uppen 03 6119; hanging Jendthereofis particularly suscepe tib'le'to side sway tending :to tip or. unbalance the machine. These sidestresses must v be -re- 'sistedati the pointsof contact otthea wheels I the machine in operating condition, the tube isiswung; upwardly around the pivot axis} 36! bars 7 results-in-the frame being subjected to the. twisting action of. suchtstre'ss'eal in transmitting. the same toi the wheels '16.

lvioreover owing to *the fact thatihegframea bars 7 are usually spaced quite close together, any mounting of the lifting frame directly on such frame bars requires that the lifting frame be constructed as a relatively narrow structure, and brings the two pivot points quite close together, which is also unsatisfactory for supporting the side stresses. I have overcome the foregoing objections by extending the side bars of the lifting frame down directly to the widely spaced wheels 16, which constitute the ultimate pointsof support serving to carry the side stresses. Thus, the main frame of the vehicle is relieved of all of the side stresses, as well as of the weight of the elevator tube, and the lifting frame is given a pivotal mounting on two widely spaced points of support. Moreover, by utilizing the axle 13 as the pivot bearing for the lifting frame, the expense of a separate bearing or bearings for such frame is avoided.

I Another important advantage accruing to this mounting of the lifting frame is that it enables me to place the engine 40 at the rear end of the frame, approximately over the rear axle 13. The comparatively close spacing of the longitudinal frame bars 77 is advantageous for permitting full swinging movement of the steering wheels 17. This requires, for stability and economy of construction, that the engine be mounted directly on the frame bars 7, substantially in the central longitudinal plane ofthe-frame, instead of off to one side thereof. Moreover, such central location of the engine permits of a belt drive directly from the belt pulley on the engine shaft to the belt pulley 37 on the drive shaft, thus avoiding the expense of any inter mediate counter-shaft. However, such central location of the engine places it directly in the plane of the elevator tube, and in order that the tube shall be capable of being folded down to a relatively low point, for a low over-all height of the machine in transport condition, it is necessary that the engine be moved back to the rear extremity of the frame. In this position its weight is supported directly by, therear axle and its vibration has little effect on the elevator tube.

As above remarked, such location of the engine is made possible by pivotally mounting the side bars 48' of the lifting frame on the rear axle at the widely spaced points shown. This places the lifting frame astraddle of the engine, with the side bars 48 spaced sufliciently far from each side thereof that there is no interference with the swinging movement of the frame.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that the pivot shaft 36, around which the elevator has its swinging movement, is journaled in two upwardly extending bracket plates 64 which are bolted to the inner sides of the longitudinal frame bars 7. Bearing hubs 65 may be extended laterally from the outer sides of the bracket plates 64: to provide tube in its raised position.

extended bearing surfaces for the shaft 36; or these bearing hubs may be constructed in the. form of a continuous sleeve extending through both of the brackets 64. Pivotally mounted between such brackets, concentrically of the shaft 36, is a tiltable bearing memherv 66. Theupper side of such bearing is formed with an arcuate depression 67 forming a saddle support for the elevator tube 35. The tube is rigidly held in this saddle support by a U-shaped clamping bolt 68, which extends over the upper side of the tube and has its lower ends passing downwardly through flanges 69 projecting from the said bearing, these bolt ends receiving nuts 71 below the flanges. a r

Referring to Figures 1 and 4:, it will be seen that the longitudinal frame bars 7 are extends ed forwardly beyond the transverseaxle bar 8 to provide the overhanging portions 72. It is upon these overhanging portions that the previously described bearing support is mounted, which results in the latter having a considerable overhang beyond the front axle 8. The purpose of this arrangement is to dispose the lower end of the elevator tube-when the tube is inclined upwardly to operating position-considerably forward of the front member 29. This is desirable becauseit fre-.

quently happens that after the elevator tube has been raised to its operative position, it is necessary to maneuver the vehicle, through actuation of its steering mechanism, in-order properly to dispose the discharge end of the tube in the bin or box car. As previously remarked, by virtue of the forward disposal of'the pivot axis 36, the lower end of the elevator tube is alwaysheld clear of the steering mechanism, permitting actuationthereof at any time for maneuvering the vehicle with the noted that such construction disposes the pivot axis 36 at a relatively low point, so that when the elevator tube is swung downwardly and the feeding hopper {i5 is folded over the same, the overhead clearance of the machine will not be appreciably reduced.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: i

l. A portable grain elevator comprising a main frame, front and rear axles connected to said frame, said frame comprising a lbolster member, to the under-side of which said rear axle is secured, steering wheels pivotally supported on said front axle for lateral swinging movement, wheels on said rear axle spaced outwardly from the sides of said main frame, an elevator tube pivotally supported on said frame in proximity to said front axle, an engine supportedon said frame in proximity to said rear axle, means operatively 1* It will also be wheels forthe front end of said frame, a rear connecting said engine with the conveyorin saidelevatortube, a vertically swinging lifting frame adapted to raise the discharge end of said elevator tube, saidlifting frame" comprising'side bars extending down on pos'ite sides of said engine and havingpivot' 'portions'at their lower ends mounted on said' rear axle; between the outer ends of saidbolf'ster member'and the wheels mounted on said axle;' j" V c 2. .In'a portable grainelevator, the combi- Hnation of a main frame comprising two longitudinally extending frame bars, two trans verselyiextending frame bars adjacent to the front and rear ends of said frame, dirigible axle extending under the transversely extending frame bar which is locatedadjacent to the rear'end of said'frame, U-shapedclips embracing said 'axleand securing the same to saidlatter frame bar, rear wheels on said axle, said longitudinal-1y extending frame bars being disposed between both pairs of wheelsand being spacedinwardly therefrom to permit said dirigible wheels to swing'free -lyin steering Without striking said longitudinal frame bars, an elevator tube pivotally I supported 011 the front end of said -main 7 V frame, 'a lifting frame adapted to raise: the

= wheels mountedthereoma front axle, steerdischargelend of said elevator tube, saidliftingframe Comprising two laterally divergent bars, roller means supported at the upper" "ends of said liftingframe bars'foi' engaging the under-side of'said elevator tube, and pivot;

members securedto the lower endslof said. lifting frame bars and engaging on said rear axle between the wheels'mounted thereon and said ,U-shaped clips.

7 3i In a'portable-grain elevator, the combinationof a framefcomprising a rear axle,

ing wheels mounted thereon, asteering mem ber projecting forwardly from said front axle: and; operatively connected with said latter wheels, and elevator tube, and'means;

- pivotally supporting said tubeon the front l whereby toprevent the downwardly, swingend of said frame on a pivot axis disposed above 'saidframe and'intermedi'ate the ends of said tube, said pivot axis being located forwardly of the plane: of said front axle,-

ing front end of said tube which extendsforwardly beyond said pivot axis from interfeno ing with actuation of said steering member when said tube is elevated to operatingposi- 4. In a portable grain elevator, theicombination of'a frame comprising front'and rear 601 axles, wheels on said rear axle, steering wheels-on said front axle, steering mechanis'mp'rojecting forwardly from said axle,

' an'elevatortube adapted to have its rear l end :tilted'upwardlyto a'discharge posi' tion, 7' and, means pivotally I supporting the" front portion of said tube on said frameon an axis disposed above said'frame and forwardly of said front axle to give the front I s end of the tube an overhang or clearingsaid 1 steering mechanism when the tube is tilted to operating position. i v r 5. In a portable grain elevator, the combination of a frame comprising two longitudinally extending frame bars, front and rear axles rigidly secured to said frame bars, steering wheels on said front axle, wheels on said rear axle, steering mechanism operativelyconnected with said steering wheels, an elevator tube adapted'to have its rear end tilted upwardly to a discharge position, means pivotally supporting the front portion of said tube on said frame ona pivot axis disposed- 7 above said frame and forwardly of said front 5 axle to give the front end'of the tube an over- 7 han for clearin said steerin mechanism when the tube'is tilted to operating position,

conveyor mechanism traveling through said tube, anenginemounted on therear end of said frame operatively connected for driving ,such conveyor mechanism, and a liftingf frame adapted to-raise the discharge endof saidv elevator tube, said lifting frame com-- prising side bars extending down astraddle of said engine andhaving bearing support directly on the rear axlein proximity to the --rear vwheels mounted thereon.

6.. In a portable grain elevator, the co'mbi- V nation of a frame comprising twolongitudinally extending frame bars, front and rear axles rigidly secured to the front and rear portions of said longitudinally extending frame bars, steering wheels, pivot means sea I wheels, rear wheels rotating about a' fixed axis on said rear axle, s'aid'longitudinally ex tending frame bars being disposedbelow' the tops ofsaid wheels andbeing spaced inward ly therefrom to permit said steering wheels toswing through a wide range of steering movement without striking said frame bars, a conveyor conduit adapted to have its rear end tilted upwardlyto a. discharge position, V meanspivotally supporting the front portion i cured to the outer ends of'said frontaxleand supporting said steering wheels'for lateral swinging movemen a steering memberpro jecting forwardly from said front, axle and operatively connected with said steering in) V of said-conduit on a pivot axis disposed above said conduit is elevated'to operating position,

saidconduit comprising conveyor means,an

engine 'mountedron said frame in overhangmg relatlonbeyond sald rear axlean'doper-i atively connected fordriving said conveyor 

